881

Vacancy Rates and Turnover Rise among PAMs as More Quit NHS

A crisis is looming among the professions allied to medicine (PAMs) as vacancy levels rise and a growing number leave the NHS for jobs e!sewhere, according to the Whitley Council Staff Side.

In a second paper of evidence which was submitted to the Pay Review Body, the PAMs make clear that rising demands for their services are not being met by greater numbers in post.

Vacancy rates have risen again, from 6.2% to 7.2%. Particular problems exist in physiotherapy, where vacancies are at 8.2%. Some one in 10 of all starter grade posts are unfilled, while nearly 30% of newly qualified staff choose not to work in the NHS. The evidence highlights considerable regional differences.

Vacancy levels are highest in the four Thames Regions and in the Special Health

Authorities. Scotland and the North West have the lowest vacancy rates.

Turnover continues to be very high, at 14.8O/o, with physiotherapy among the highest at 19%. Over 40% of staff leaving their posts have left NHS employment altogether. The PAMs say in their evidence that is a huge waste of NHS resources.

Jocelyn Prudence, Staff Side secretary, says: ‘The rapidly growing contribution being made by the PAMs has been recognised by trusts as more and more are being recruited. However, with turnover and vacancy levels high, that recognition needs to be reflected in considerably higher salary levels. This is the best way to guarantee that rising patient needs will be met. Government plans to introduce local performance related pay would make the current problem much worse.’

Pensions Special Status to Be Abolished New NHS pension arrangements which

come into effect next March will abolish the special class status for new entrant physio- therapists. Staff who have not yet signed up with the NHS pension scheme are being urged to do so quickly.

From March 1995 all staff who are members of the scheme will have their right to retire at 55, under the special class status, protected, and this is to be extended to male physiotherapists. Abolition of the special class status will then come into force for all members of staff who subsequently join the scheme.

Under the new arrangements staff will have a flexible retirement option, from between 50 and 65, but the benefits will be less than those under the current special status option.

Changes are also being introduced in the mental health officer status which is to be abolished for new entrants. Staff who currently have this status, however, will be protected.

The CSP warns that while some of the changes may look very appealing - like the possibility of early retirement at 50 - the benefits awarded will be substantially reduced.

Part-time staff, who were previously excluded from the pension scheme, can now pay to backdate their pension for the years not covered.

The new pension arrangements follow European legislation which states that pension benefits must be equal for men and women.

See also Industrial Relations News.

Pen Protest Against PRP

A letter-writing campaign against performance-related pay (PRP) is being organised through the CSP Branch net- work. Physiotherapists are being urged to lobby their local MPs, making clear their objections to what has been described as a ’highly divisive’ system.

The Branch-based campaign comes amid growing concern about PRP and the likely effect its introduction would have on patient care. Joycelyn Prudence, CSP co- director of industrial relations, said more and more constraints were being placed on physiotherapists in a bid to get faster throughput. There have been reports of physiotherapists being allowed just ten minutes’ treatment time, regardless of the patient’s condition.

Ms Prudence said: ‘We believe perfor- mance pay is a highly divisive payment system. We have done a lot of research and have been unable to find anyqne who has a good word to say about it.

In a letter to CSP stewards, the CSP points out that research suggests performance payments do not motivate staff or improve performance. Finding a meaningful performance measure, it says, has proved to be extremely difficult. Concentrating on throughput ignores the concept of quality, while measures based on how a trust is performing financially could lead to staff cuts. The CSP also says there is evidence to suggest that PRP schemes can discriminate against women.

Ms Prudence said: ‘The CSP has voiced its concern and objections to performance pay. Now we want to develop a Branch- based campaign and we believe that lobbying MPs can be a highly effective way to do this.’

A pro-forma letter is printed on page 888 of this journal.

Northern Board By-Election Ms Sally Harris has resigned as

Northern Board representative to Council. She was the alternate for Sharon Lynn who resigned as a Council member last year. It is therefore necessary to hold a by-election in this Region.

It should also be noted that the term of office of the successful candidate in the by-election would end at the AGM in 1995 (attendance at Council meetings on March 15, June 14 and September 13, 1995, would be required). The person elected would have to stand again in the 1995 general elections to continue in office for the next four-year term. A second election could be avoided only if the sitting candidate stands in the general election and is unopposed.

The deadline for receipt of nominations inc lud ing elect ion address and photograph, is 12 noon on Monday, January 23, 1995.

Nomination forms are available from Frances Pope at 14 Bedford Row, London WClR 4ED (telO71-242 1941). Twelve sponsors who live or work within the Board region are required.

Ballot papers will be dispatched on Wednesday, February 8, 1995. The ballot will close on Wednesday, March 8, 1995. The result will be declared and candidates will be notified by Friday, March 10, 1995, so the person elected will be able to attend the Council meeting on March 15, 1995.

Requirements for the Working Holidaymaker Scheme Clarified

The Home Office and Department of Employment have recently clarified the rules on the Working Holidaymaker Scheme which applies to Commonwealth citizens who wish to visit this country for up to two years

Physiotherapists and other visitors are allowed to undertake work incidental to their holiday. but they should not spend more than half the time working while they are in Europe The scheme IS not intended for those intending to conduct a business or pursue a career, but there is no objection to them taking temporary work as a physio- therapist They may therefore be directly employed on short-term or locum cont- racts, or engaged through an agency We have been assured by the Home Office that they are not restricted to entirely non- professional work

~ ~~~~

Physiotherapy, December 1994, voI80, no 12